Where Can I Find the Best Pad Thai?

Posted: May 22, 2013 by 1bangkokgirlblog in Eating
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Before I even moved to Thailand, pad Thai was one of my favourite things to eat. I was however introduced to it fairly late in life (early 20s!) at a wonderful Asian fusion restaurant my mum and I would often visit for lunch in Leeds, which has now sadly closed.

Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s more famous dishes, although it actually originates from Vietnam and by way of random fact (thanks Wikipedia!) the Thai film Jao saao Pad Thai makes pad Thai is central to the plot as the main character claims she will marry whoever eats her pad Thai for 100 days in a row.

In 2011, CNN compiled a list of the world’s top 50 dishes, and pad Thai ranked number 5, which is funny because I have been meaning to try a street food cafĂ© called Hoi Tod Chaw Lae Restaurant near the top of Thong Lo 55 for sometime, as they proudly display a sign proclaiming them to make the 5th best pad Thai in the world.

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And this weekend I did! After rather embarrassingly spraying a bottle of Pepsi over a freshly ironed white top, my dish was ready and having skipped breakfast, I eagerly tucked into pad Thai kung sod.

My dish was  OK, but if I am honest nothing to write home about and cost 90 baht, but it was fresh, hot, tasty, even a little on the spicy side, and the staff were lovely. I am just sorry to have to say I am not sure I would  rank it as one of the top pad Thais I have tasted, not that I am in any way an expert as to what pad Thai should look and taste like – this is just personal opinion.

I much prefer the one prepared on the soi where I live, which at only 35 baht, is less than half the price of the famous one! It might not look as glamorous or pretty, but I sure do prefer it.

Where serves the best pad Thai you have tested? Any recommendations for me?

New condo, new job!

Posted: May 12, 2013 by 1bangkokgirlblog in Uncategorized
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Sorry for the slightly self indulgent post, but this weekend is the start of a new era for me. I have moved into a new condo today, and start a new job tomorrow.

I have lived in Bangkok now for almost 10 months. I had a vague idea my life would be different before I began living here. I just had no idea of how much would change in such a short space of time! Hate is a very strong word, but that’s really how I felt about Bangkok initially. Everything was so different – too different – to what I had been used to. My friends kept asking if it was as amazing as they imagined it to be, but in reality it was anything but.

I can’t pinpoint when my feelings changed, but ever so slowly hate turned to love and I can now say Bangkok, and indeed Thailand, has crept under my skin. Someone asked me very recently what living in Bangkok was like, and it is very hard to sum it up eloquently: the sights, the smells, the energy – it is such a vibrant colourful city.

I start a new job tomorrow as a writer – I can’t believe someone is going to employ me to write! It really is a dream come true. Over the last 10 months, I have had periods of doubts and self questionning about whether the move over here was the right decision to make, and I truly believe it has been. Bangkok has taught me so much, but in particular that life is what you make of it and that we, and no one else, are in full control of our own destiny.

I Love to Blog: A Liebster Award

Posted: May 9, 2013 by 1bangkokgirlblog in Random fun
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Life has been busy and hectic recently. I am now back in Bangkok after 5 weeks in the UK. It’s funny how quickly you forget just how chaotic this crazy city is, how the buzz of the traffic and the smell of street food quickly leaves you.

liebster2Life has been so busy, that I missed that I was awarded a Liebster award a few weeks ago, by the lovely Jade, author of An Invisible Crown. Jade is an Aussie currently living in London with her hubbie and cute dog!

I had forgotten how lost I felt when I first moved to Bangkok. Right now, I am feeling very lost again after leaving the safety net of my mum’s house in the UK where I have been for the last 5 weeks. I first started blogging as a means of something to do when I moved to Bangkok. I had presumed leaving a high pressured job to becoming a lady of leisure would be a walk in the park, but I quickly learned that this was not the case. I never really thought anyone would read my blog, so it was interesting when I realised that people were. What I also hadn’t realised was how supportive and how friendly the blogging community were!

I “met” Jade on twitter, and we like to swap tweets about our shared love of travel. I was stunned, but in the nicest way possible when I realised she had nominated my blog for an award, so thank you Jade for giving me a huge smile today!

Here’s the deal:

  1. Thank and link back to the blogger who presented you with the award
  2. List 11 random facts about yourself
  3. Answer the 11 questions you were asked
  4. Write 11 questions for your nominees
  5. Present/nominate a Liebster blog award to 3-5 other bloggers.

My facts:

1. Despite choosing a name that couldn’t be shortened, my parents have since called me anything but Anna.

2. I am very superstitious and believe every word Jonathon Cainer tells me in my horoscope.

3. I adore reality TV. I think I am the only person who still watches Big Brother.

4. I have been in love with Chesney Hawkes since he released I Am The One and Only. It is still my favourite song.

5. I went to Benidorm a few years ago with my friends, and we quickly became known across the bars for our love of cheesy music. An Irish bar even downloaded Music Man for us and we had everyone up dancing – best night ever!

6. I talk to my 2 cats and they understand every word I say to them. I am however not a crazy cat lady –  promise!

7. When I get excited I like to squeal and flap my hands.

8. I truly believe that one day I will be fluent in Thai.

9. In a former life I was a lawyer.

10. I am a Princess #fact

11. Despite being a girly girl, I am really rubbish at applying make up.

The Questions I was Asked:

  • Where is your dream travel destination?

Mmm. I love a good white beach and turquoise water. I have a real hankering to visit the Cook Islands.

  • Have you ever had a not so good travel experience? Tell us all about it!

Although it was thankfully very short, the toilets or lack thereof, at Ban Phe pier remain a very vivid memory.

  • When I say London, what’s the first thing that pops in to your head?

Buses!

  • What is your favourite food?

More a meal, but Sunday roast!

  • What would your suggestion be for a great night out with friends?

Wine, chatter, cheesy music and of course, no night out is complete without a rendition of I am the One and Only on karaoke!

  • Do you have a pet?

I have 2 beloved cats, Dusty and Socks.

  • What’s your favourite show on TV at the moment? If you’re not in to TV, what book are you currently reading?

Australian Masterchef!

  • Who is the person you most admire?

My mum. She knows why.

  • What blogs are you reading at the moment?

Quite a few! I am obsessed reading the blog of anyone who lives in Thailand though in particular!

  • If you came to my house and I offered you a drink, what would you ask for?

It would all depend on the time of day but would either be a nice mug of tea, a diet pepsi or a dry white wine!

  • If you could re-live any particular moment in your life, what would that be?

Tough question! Far too many good and memorable moments to picks from, but it’s probably best to look forward rather than choose to re-live any of them.

My Questions to You:

1. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

2. I say Bangkok, you say……?

3. What book should I download next to read on my kindle?

4. Who is the person who has had the largest impact on shaping you as a person?

5. Pick 5 words to describe yourself.

6. Share an embarrassing story. Come on, you know you want too!

7. What was the last film you watched at the cinema?

8. If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

9. Do you have a holiday planned? If so where too? if not where would you like to go?

10. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

11. What’s your biggest fear?

My Chosen Blogs:

http://www.toothbrushtravels.com/

http://expatmake-upaddict.blogspot.com/

http://bangkokiloveyou.com/

http://alisonsadventuresintheatreland.blogspot.com/

http://chasingexperiences.com/

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